African Nasute Mound Termite vs Malaysian Tree Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Nasute Mound Termite Malaysian Tree Termite
Scientific Name Nasutitermes latifrons Hospitalitermes hospitalis
Order Blattodea Blattodea
Family Termitidae Termitidae
Size 4-6 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions West Africa, Central Africa Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Nasute Mound Termite

A mound-building nasute termite found in West and Central African forests. Colonies construct carton mounds at ground level or on tree bases. Soldiers have a broad head with a short, wide nasute projection for spraying defensive terpenes.

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Did You Know?

The defensive secretion of nasute soldiers contains terpene compounds that are not only sticky but also toxic to small arthropod predators.

Malaysian Tree Termite

A remarkable open-air foraging nasutitermine termite from Southeast Asian rainforests. Workers forage in exposed columns along tree trunks and branches to collect lichen and algae. Nasute soldiers line the edges of foraging columns to provide defense.

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Did You Know?

Foraging columns can stretch over 100 meters through the forest canopy, with soldiers stationed at regular intervals along the exposed trail like sentries.